Canoeists Take The Mississippi River Challenge

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — If you’re around either the Minnesota or Mississippi Rivers this weekend, you’ll likely see lots of kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.

The Mississippi River Challenge is being held to raise money for the Friends of the Mississippi River.

“The river is one of our great natural assets. It’s one of the great rivers of the world. It’s a natural resource of international significance,” said Whitney Clark. “It’s obviously why Minneapolis and St. Paul are where they are.”

The group’s mission is to protect, improve and preserve the Mississippi River along the Twin Cities.

The group begins on the Minnesota River at the Bloomington Ferry all the way to Fort Snelling. Clark said they will then hold an event at the fort before heading out on Sunday toward St. Paul on the Mississippi.

“It’s a long paddle, but that’s why we named it the ‘Challenge,'” said Clark.